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Bachelor of Philosophy in Technology in Construction Management

The Bachelor of Philosophy in Technology in Construction Management is a two-year integrated postgraduate technical programme at the Technical University of Kenya that prepares diploma holders for advanced construction management practice. Students study construction technology, project management, quantity surveying, contract administration, building services and construction economics. The programme builds on prior diploma training to develop specialist construction management competencies.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 199,500
Ksh 798,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 199,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 798,000 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

Students develop advanced competencies in construction planning, project control, cost management, contract administration, quality management and site supervision. They learn to manage construction projects, coordinate subcontractors, control costs, ensure quality and deliver projects on time. The programme covers construction management, building technology, contracts, cost management and project delivery.

In Kenya, construction management is essential for infrastructure, housing and commercial development. Kenya's construction industry, Vision 2030 projects and urbanisation create demand. The Technical University of Kenya offers this programme through its School of Architecture and the Built Environment. Graduates find roles in construction companies, project management firms, real estate developers, government construction departments and consulting firms.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, case studies, site visits, project simulations and research projects. Students prepare construction plans, manage project schedules, prepare cost estimates and undertake a final research project.

Graduates pursue careers as construction managers, project managers, site managers, contract administrators, quantity surveyors and project coordinators. Some work for construction firms. Others join developers, consultants or establish construction management consultancies.

This programme is ideal for diploma holders in building construction, civil engineering, architecture or related fields seeking advanced construction management technical skills.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Construction Technology and Methods
  • Construction Project Management
  • Construction Economics and Cost Management
  • Contract Administration and Law
  • Quantity Surveying and Estimating
  • Building Services and Sustainability
  • Construction Planning and Scheduling
  • Quality and Safety Management
  • Construction Information Technology
  • Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Construction Technology and Methods

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Construction Technology and Methods: Building construction, materials, methods and construction processes Covers construction technology, materials science, and project execution.

  • Construction Project Management

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Construction Project Management: Project management principles applied to construction projects Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

  • Construction Economics and Cost Management

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Construction Economics and Cost Management: Cost estimation, budgeting, cost control and construction economics Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Contract Administration and Law

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Contract Administration and Law: Construction contracts, FIDIC, claims, disputes and legal issues Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.

  • Quantity Surveying and Estimating

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Measurement, bills of quantities, estimating and valuation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...

  • Building Services and Sustainability

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Building Services and Sustainability: Mechanical, electrical, plumbing services and sustainable construction Covers construction technology, materials science, and project execution.

  • Construction Planning and Scheduling

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Construction Planning and Scheduling: Planning, scheduling, resource allocation and project control Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.

  • Quality and Safety Management

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Quality and Safety Management: Quality management, construction safety, OSH and risk management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Construction Information Technology

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Construction Information Technology: BIM, project management software and construction technology Covers construction technology, materials science, and project execution.

  • Final Research Project

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Independent construction management research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...

Specialisations

  • Building Services

    Specialization in Building Services, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.

  • Contract Administration

    Specialization in Contract Administration, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.

  • Construction Management

    Specialization in Construction Management, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.

  • Sustainable Construction

    Specialization in Sustainable Construction, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.

  • Project Management

    Specialization in Project Management, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.

  • Quantity Surveying

    Specialization in Quantity Surveying, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.

A day as a student

A typical day combines construction management lectures with case studies or project simulations. Students may prepare project schedules, cost estimates, contract documents, quality plans or visit construction sites.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
High demand for construction managers in KenyaConstruction industry can be cyclical
Builds on diploma for management rolesTwo-year programme is intensive
Diverse career paths in construction and real estateSite work may involve long hours and travel
Practical and project-based trainingRequires strong technical and management skills

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses
Public200k to 200k
200k at Technical University of Kenya200k at Technical University of Kenya

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TUK 90K/sem+19.5K stat=199.5K/yr. Private: unverified. Src: university.co.ke TUK fees

Students may access HELB loans and employer sponsorships. Some county bursaries are available for technical students.

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

    LoanKsh 60,000

  • Employer Sponsorship

    Bursary

  • County Government Bursaries

    Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    BursaryKenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties

Scholarships you could apply for

6 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Higher Diploma or Diploma in Building Construction, Civil Engineering, Architecture or related fieldCredit
MathematicsC
Physics or any Group IIC
English or KiswahiliC

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

May 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

September 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Case Studies and Project Work

    Coursework40% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework20% of the mark

  • Industrial Attachment Report

    Coursework10% of the mark

  • Final Examination and Research Project

    Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

  • National Construction Authority (NCA)

    InstitutionalRequired

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    InstitutionalRequired

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Quantity Surveyor

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Manages construction costs and valuations

  • Construction Manager

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Manages construction projects and teams

  • Contract Administrator

    High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 230,000

    Administers construction contracts and claims

  • Project Manager

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Plans and delivers construction projects

  • Site Manager

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Manages day-to-day site operations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as construction managers, project managers, site managers, contract administrators, quantity surveyors and project coordinators in construction companies, project management firms, real estate developers, government construction departments and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • MATLAB

    Engineering softwarePrimary

    Signal processing and communication simulation.

  • Atoll

    Network planning

    Radio network planning and optimisation.

  • Wireshark

    Network analysis

    Network protocol analysis.

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • AutoCAD

    DesignPrimary

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Construction management is only for builders

    Construction management combines technology, economics, law, project management and leadership.

  • Construction managers do not need degrees

    Modern construction projects require degree-level management and technical skills.

  • Construction management is only for construction sites

    Construction managers also work in planning, estimating, contracts and consultancy.

  • Diploma holders cannot advance to management

    This degree is specifically designed to advance diploma holders to management roles.

Further reading

Read next